Ascension Of Our Lord
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Words Of Assurance
The beautiful miracle of the living God's resurrection power is that it is present in us now, breaking through the daily deaths caused by our selfishness.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, giver of all grace, the refuge of all who flee to you, the helper of those in need, and the one sure resource in times of trouble: hear us now, we pray, as we approach you through worship and adoration.
Ever-living God, we give you thanks this day that your eternal Christ, who once dwelt on earth, ascended into glory where, freed from the bonds of time and space, he is present with us everywhere and at all times. Forgive us wherein we have held on to half-truths, smugly congratulating ourselves that we are not as others. Forgive us for closing out insight with the attitude that we have already arrived at the truth. Forgive us wherein we have accepted the cliches that are bandied about as defenses for our consciences.
Open our minds to the call of love, that we may measure our attitudes and responses by this standard. Forbid that we should shunt aside concern for others as a pretense for minding our own business. Help us to avoid the arrogant spirit that causes us to feel self-made. Enable us through prayer and worship to reassess the reasons we like to give why we have succeeded and others have failed. May we have the empathy to feel what it means to be a minority, to be caught in the squeeze of our automated industrial age without developed skills, to be unable to pay the rent, to be unemployed without hope of a job. Almighty God, whose essence is love, draw back the curtains behind which we, in a false security, congratulate ourselves, that we may try again to see whether or not we have any right to feel acceptable in your sight.
As we attempt to follow our Master, Jesus Christ, as faithful disciples, keep us ever mindful of our commission which, just before his ascension, he gave to all who would follow him: that we should take his gospel of love into all the world, making disciples, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Send your Holy Spirit upon us that we might have the courage and the strength to carry out his command. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
Go forth with great joy knowing that God goes with you; and the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be yours. Amen.
The beautiful miracle of the living God's resurrection power is that it is present in us now, breaking through the daily deaths caused by our selfishness.
Pastoral Prayer
Almighty God, giver of all grace, the refuge of all who flee to you, the helper of those in need, and the one sure resource in times of trouble: hear us now, we pray, as we approach you through worship and adoration.
Ever-living God, we give you thanks this day that your eternal Christ, who once dwelt on earth, ascended into glory where, freed from the bonds of time and space, he is present with us everywhere and at all times. Forgive us wherein we have held on to half-truths, smugly congratulating ourselves that we are not as others. Forgive us for closing out insight with the attitude that we have already arrived at the truth. Forgive us wherein we have accepted the cliches that are bandied about as defenses for our consciences.
Open our minds to the call of love, that we may measure our attitudes and responses by this standard. Forbid that we should shunt aside concern for others as a pretense for minding our own business. Help us to avoid the arrogant spirit that causes us to feel self-made. Enable us through prayer and worship to reassess the reasons we like to give why we have succeeded and others have failed. May we have the empathy to feel what it means to be a minority, to be caught in the squeeze of our automated industrial age without developed skills, to be unable to pay the rent, to be unemployed without hope of a job. Almighty God, whose essence is love, draw back the curtains behind which we, in a false security, congratulate ourselves, that we may try again to see whether or not we have any right to feel acceptable in your sight.
As we attempt to follow our Master, Jesus Christ, as faithful disciples, keep us ever mindful of our commission which, just before his ascension, he gave to all who would follow him: that we should take his gospel of love into all the world, making disciples, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Send your Holy Spirit upon us that we might have the courage and the strength to carry out his command. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
Go forth with great joy knowing that God goes with you; and the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be yours. Amen.
